The combination of the four will certainly put a smile on the face of those who encounter this 101-year-old New Springville resident.

Well-dressed and well-spoken, LaGuardia, a building regulator and superintendent who retired 37 years ago in July 1975, spends most of his days at the New Dorp Friendship Club.

He’s not there to play cards or simply chit-chat. LaGuardia drives to the Cedar Grove Avenue site each morning to dance, partake of tai chi, yoga, and more. And that’s after he exercises at home.

In addition to remaining active outside of his home, the centenarian stays busy as often as possible. He spends time at a workshop behind his daughter’s two-family home on the West Shore and can often be seen preparing a meal, notably eggplant parmesan, zucchini dishes, or cutlets.

“I cook. I bake. I do my laundry and everything else, and she’s my corresponding agent,” he said, pointing to one of his three daughters, Marie Zaccone, who owns the house her father lives in.

At the Friendship Club, LaGuardia is the people many people turn to for an extra pair of hands. Last week, he handed out meal trays to the disabled. 

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</sub>FROM ITALY<rr>LaGuardia was born in Italy and came to America at 10-years-old. With just three years of education, the New Yorker went to work at numerous places, including a machine shop in Brooklyn.

In the early 1930s, when the world had “come apart” from the Great Depression, said LaGuardia, he met his wife, Catherine, at the former Flatbush Gum Co., also in Brooklyn. The place closed in 1933 because of the rough economy, he said.

“I’ve seen the world. Nobody saw it like I saw it .¤.¤. it was a real tough time,” he explained.

LaGuardia quickly caught on at the J.H. Taylor Management Corporation on Union Square West in Manhattan. He would spend the rest of his working career there until changes to the company resulted in his retirement.

A letter of recommendation dated in 1975 and crafted by the company called LaGuardia “100 percent honest, 100 percent efficient, and 100 percent reliable.” 

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</sub>HIGHLY PRIZED<rr>“He is neither a licensed plumber nor a licensed electrician,” the letter read. “However, in our opinion, his knowledge of both plumbing and electricity is equal to most of the people so licensed.”

When asked if he works well with his hands, LaGuardia responded with a joke.

“No, my feet,” he said.

At 65, LaGuardia decided to retire.

“I wanted to be with my wife,” he said. “I worked, I had three beautiful girls, they got married, and they have beautiful children, and I’m proud of that.”

The LaGuardias both joined a senior center in Brooklyn. He said he loved to be with his wife.

“And I miss her,” he said.

The two moved to Ms. Zaccone’s home in 1997 when Mrs. LaGuardia was living with Alzheimer’s disease. She passed away in 2001.The native Italian is extremely sharp at his age, and recommends others to avoid alcohol and cigarettes, and to stay fit.

“Your body has to be lubricated, like a car. It’s the same thing. You need to treat with good oil and everything else,” he said. “I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I’m pretty sociable.”

Said his daughter, “Yes, you need to live a clean life.”

LaGuardia glanced at her with a smile and tossed out another one-liner.